FREDERICKSBURG – Construction work began today to widen Route 17 to six lanes in Stafford County, adding new lane capacity over 2 miles of this primary road to reduce congestion leading up to the merge point with Interstate 95.

The $48.9 million Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project is critical to accommodating the anticipated future travel demand on Route 17, which is expected to grow from carrying 55,000 vehicles a day in 2013 to 96,000 vehicles a day by 2034.

“Adding capacity to Route 17 in Stafford County provides congestion relief for Fredericksburg area residents who travel this corridor every day, as well for businesses and motorists who are moving between regions of Virginia,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton. “This project will reduce delays for anyone trying to reach Interstate 95 and continue on to their destination.”

The project will add a third travel lane on Route 17 in each direction, establishing six continuous travel lanes from Interstate 95 to Stafford Lakes Parkway. A continuous right turn lane will be built in each direction, making it easier for motorists to enter and exit commercial entrances.

Additional features of the project include:
• A double left turn lane at key intersections
• 5-foot sidewalk for northbound and southbound Route 17
• Upgraded traffic signal equipment at every intersection with an existing signal
• Realigned entrance to Berea Church Road at Route 17
• New pavement surface and lane markings

A $23.5 million contract for construction was awarded by the Commonwealth Transportation Board to Henderson Construction Company, Inc. of Stafford, Va.

Construction of the project will begin north of Celebrate Virginia Parkway. Starting in 2014, the project will progress south of Celebrate Virginia Parkway. The fixed project completion date is December 1, 2016.

Additional project information can be found on www.VirginiaDOT.org: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/fredericksburg/route_17_widening,_stafford_county.asp

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.

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